Is this some management 101 "best practice"? My manager does this and it is annoying. Facial expressions are an important part of communication and acting like an emotionless robot does not help in times of need.
Not to be an emotionless robot, that is bad, and I really hate that too. I mean more in the communicate what you want not what you don't want. Friendly, confident, happy are good; angry, surprised, despair are not so good.
You are correct that its communication, just don't say stupid things with your face.
Rabbi Hillel famously is quoted as saying "Don't say anything that ought not be heard -- not even in the strictest confidence -- for ultimately it will be heard." This is one of the ways that it will be heard, heh.
You are correct that its communication, just don't say stupid things with your face.